Field Journal Notebook o-rings

[dorayme]

I've got a FJN on the truck for tomorrow's delivery. I'm dying a little inside waiting for it. As I wait, I'm trying to distract myself by planning out how I'm going to put things into it.
I don't think there is one, but it would be useful to me so I am asking, is there an o-ring in the rear slip pocket?

[Moose]

HI dorayme,
There is not an O ring in the back slip pocket. There is one in the zipper compartment and one inside above one of the larger pockets. You can ( I have ) put a split ring around the handle, a key strap on that and slide something in the slip pocket without fear of loosing it.

What color did you buy, or do I need to ask? Mine is plum too. I had some pictures on the forums someplace. If I can find them I'll let you know.

Edit: found the pictures here http://forums.tombihn.com/bag-review...efty-love.html
In the first picture you can just see the clip of a key strap on the back handle. Hook a pouch to the other end and you're good to go.

Take care,
Moose

[dorayme]

Thanks Moose. I have sweated your pics of Plum and UV Synapse and Plum FJN. Thanks for sharing them. If there are more, please redirect me.

Yes, no need to ask, mine is also Plum! I will probably adapt your keystrap idea then to lock down contents in the rear. I wish there was an o-ring there. I want to put my Kindle case in somewhere and think the rear is better than inside. . . but fear it slipping out. It just makes sense to be able to tie down things in that pocket since there is no closure. I'm sure there's a reason why it's not there though. So I will be content without it. Maybe I need to place a keystrap order?

[backpack]

It seems that Tom chooses not to put O-rings in opened back pockets.

My take is that they are designed for quick and smooth retrieval of things, which an empty O-ring could slow down.

I got my Plum FJN with the UV order of late spring/early summer of last year. Almost a year already but I didn't star to handle it, personalize it then d.i.y it until late summer/early fall.
Now, I shlep it everywhere.

On my Holiday/Valentines order I added matching Plum Key Straps as easy to grab zipper pulls and decorative elements, you can do the same with TB DIY Cord Zipper Pulls.
You can use the included 8" Key Strap to experiment as zipper pull or to place on the very very very sturdy clips used to secure the FJN Shoulder Strap.
One of those is conveniently located at the upper left side of the back pocket, ready to secure something like a KIndle case.


Moose, you delightful pictures completely sold me on the FJN abilities to be D.I.Yed in full purple accessories and accommodate my notepad writing habit.

[Moose]

dorayme, I don't think I have any other photos on the forum. No matter how hard I try I'm unable to get them posted myself. I always have to bug Katy to do it for me. Katy is always gracious about it but I hate having to rely on her so I keep the photos to a minumum. I am looking forward to your new journal photos though. I absolutley see (another?) plum key strap in your future.

backpack, did the daily use of the journal work out for you as well at you thought it might from the photos? I've been carrying mine every day for over a year. That's some kind of record for me. I usually get bored with bags and what not after about three months.

Take care,
Moose

[dorayme]

Oh, I will for sure be adding photos soon of my FJN. And I understand your dilemma, putting pics onto the forums hasnt been an intuitive task for me either. I think Darcy is working to fix that though.

Good thing is it didn't take many photos to inspire. Your sister Synapses with their FJN were inspiring to me!

[TavaPeak]

I will use this thread to lament that we gave a Field Journal (navy) to my 12-year-old for Christmas. Alas, he loves it. So I will have to order one for myself some day.

Congrats, dorayme! You will have so much fun with it. It's a great size, and so useful.

[Tlacltme]

We also gave FJN to three of the kids for Christmas: Navy to the 11 year old, Crimson to the 9 year old, and Plum to the 8 year old. They LOVE them! Can't wait to hear about yours, dorayme, and see your pics!

[backpack]

dorayme, I don't think I have any other photos on the forum. No matter how hard I try I'm unable to get them posted myself. I always have to bug Katy to do it for me. Katy is always gracious about it but I hate having to rely on her so I keep the photos to a minumum. I am looking forward to your new journal photos though. I absolutley see (another?) plum key strap in your future.

backpack, did the daily use of the journal work out for you as well at you thought it might from the photos? I've been carrying mine every day for over a year. That's some kind of record for me. I usually get bored with bags and what not after about three months.

Take care,
Moose

Moose, I and all the other Plum FJN toting ladies are really grateful for your extremely generous sharing of pictures and experience.

If I recall correctly, you were one of the first person to buy an FJN/Synapse Plum pair, you took the anxiety of buying a brand new item/bag design out of the equation.

I am absolutely smitten by my Plum FJN, my initial thoughts were to use it as my "Home" Journal Notebook and buy a Steel one as Field Journal Notebook.
In the meantime, Azalea and Turquoise, more items in UV as well as the last production of Small Shop Bags were announced.

After listening to Steve Jobs address to Stanford which I think was posted here or on the Blog, I made a very bold move and removed the price tags on my Large UV Shop Bag and my Plum FJN, placed the notepad with my shopping lists in the center of the FJN, zipped it up, and put it in my Steel PCBP, which when open like a butterfly protects the FJN from shopping cart grime.

FJN + shopping = Happy and relaxed shopping.

When my Synapse arrived sometime later, I took it almost right away, accessory shopping for the FJN, but the trek to the shop included many bus and metro lines changes so I only took the Synapse and the Storm/Sapphire SCB (mainly to hold the numerous bus line schedules and metro mini map).
I added the old plastic envelop/notepad/pencil setup for the last time as it included the FJN Plastic Leaf for accurate calibration of accessories.

I got multicolor plastic tabs, a 7 holes punch and lightweight pages protectors which were on sale, I cleaned up the remaining ones.

The page protectors house important info or list which don't change much and are used heavily, groceries being one of them.

I got inspired by the beautiful colors of your calendar and checked it out, but as usual, the tabs were part of the pages, not free standing.

Because I still want a notepad for occasional journaling, bird watching/mammal spotting notes. It is secured via its backing by a thin purple/plum headband folded in two. After buying them, I found that the headbands were much too small to use as such.

I can use it however it suits my fancy, hunt for compatible office stuff that fit in it...

All in all, lots of fun in one gorgeous package, thanks to your inspiration and Tom's design genius.

[Moose]

Thank you for the kind words !! I really do like my journal and Synapes bags. While technology is great I still appreciate a good pen on paper. My journal has turned into more of a commonplace book than anything else. I think I've gotten to the "when I am old I shall wear purple" stage of my life. Shoes, bags, whatever, I'll always pick purple first. A steel/ultraviolet Tri Star tops my wish list. I'm really looking forward to dorayme's photos.

Take care,
Moose

[dorayme]

I guess I'm in the when I am middle aged, I shall wear purple phase :P Purple is so FUN!
I agree with backpack, your pictures helped me to first see how well UV would combine with Plum and it was a great thing!

Also in my order was a Steel/UV co-pilot. I love this little bag more than I could have ever imagined. It's like a micro suitcase/ micro brief all in one. It functions equally well for both. My laptop even squeezes into it. My only sadness is that between ordering my WF and this order evidently TB used a different batch of Steel Ballistic. The bags are different sades of the same color. It's not as drastic as the difference between Steel Cordura and Steel Ballistic, but I noticed it in low lighting.

I want to use the FJN for a week or so with everything and then I will get some pictures. That will help me to have worked through what system is working the best for me.

@ backpack, I have a shopping list as part of my planner pages, but I hadn't thought through taking the FJN shopping, thanks for your reference. One more use for the FJN, shopping organizer!

[ncb4]

I guess I'm in the when I am middle aged, I shall wear purple phase :P Purple is so FUN!
I agree with backpack, your pictures helped me to first see how well UV would combine with Plum and it was a great thing!

Also in my order was a Steel/UV co-pilot. I love this little bag more than I could have ever imagined. It's like a micro suitcase/ micro brief all in one. It functions equally well for both. My laptop even squeezes into it. My only sadness is that between ordering my WF and this order evidently TB used a different batch of Steel Ballistic. The bags are different sades of the same color. It's not as drastic as the difference between Steel Cordura and Steel Ballistic, but I noticed it in low lighting.

I want to use the FJN for a week or so with everything and then I will get some pictures. That will help me to have worked through what system is working the best for me.

I'm sorry the shades of Steel Ballistic are a bit different, but I'm really going to be interested to hear how you like your new Co-Pilot and FJN setup. I got a Co-Pilot last summer, almost on a whim; I wasn't really sure I'd like it. But I'm with you; I'm amazed at how much I like the Co-Pilot, and how versatile it can be. I can fit my MacbookAir-11 in there, too, which astonished me. It is like a mini-briefcase; that's a good description of it.

I've been a holdout on the FJN, but I'm slowly getting drawn in by threads like this. Can't wait to see your photos! Have fun playing with your new "toys."

[dorayme]

I got a Co-Pilot last summer, almost on a whim; I wasn't really sure I'd like it. But I'm with you; I'm amazed at how much I like the Co-Pilot, and how versatile it can be. I can fit my MacbookAir-11 in there, too, which astonished me. It is like a mini-briefcase; that's a good description of it.

lol, I got my Co-Pilot on a whim as well. I called in my order to Katy and asked her towards the end if there was anything that was low stock in Steel/UV or Plum. I especially asked her to check the Co-Pilot because it was no longer available on the website. There were two in the store so I decided it was meant for me to have one. I would regret it if I let it pass me by. I had this bag in my hands in the factory and chose the Imago instead. . . I don't exactly know what I was thinking. The Co-Pilot is a more useful bag for me and my bag needs. I think the cork got to me though.

It will be a great overnight bag and paired with my UV Synapse a great simple travel set for weekends. I will probably also use it as my "car bag" to keep snacks and reading material close on trips.

I'm so thankful to others for sharing their packing lists, photographs, description of uses and other details on all of the bags. When I came to TB I only wanted A Swift. I find it funny barely a year after buying my first TB bag to have a few more than just A Swift.